Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

Although the Birch Pass was the natural border between the Bright Dynasty and the South Kingdom, it was quite noisy and
bustling. And in spite of the relationship between the Bright Dynasty and the South Kingdom being tense at the moment, there
were still many merchants going back and forth to the border of the two countries. They brought over the herbs from the South
Kingdom to the Birch Pass for trading.
"It seems that we came out at the right time, just in time for the morning market." In the morning market of the Birch Pass, lots of
items were being sold—medicinal materials, ores, some unique jade which could only be found in the South Kingdom, as well as
some rare small articles. All kinds of people were busy looking around to find what they needed.
"Sir, would you be interested in purchasing a precious jade pendant? It's the pink warm jade only available in the South Kingdom
and can't be found anywhere else. This jade pendant should be perfect for your wife. As you can see, the pink color looks very
clear. And it will also be very useful to help her get back to health. Sir, I highly recommend that you purchase a jade pendant for
your wife." The vendor stopped Matthew in his tracks and tried his best to convince him into buying the jade he had in his stall.
Taking a closer look at the jade in the hands of the vendor, Matthew was actually about to take it. However, Harper suddenly
grabbed the jade and remarked, "This is not a warm jade, otherwise, I would've felt warm when I touched it. Apart from that, its
pink color is not quite right. The warm jade of the South Kingdom looks pink because the geology of the place where they are
produced is red. That's what gives the jade that slight tint of red, thus giving it the name pink warm jade. The jade you are selling
is a fake one."
Hearing this, the vendor almost lost his composure. Yet, he quickly snatched the fake jade pendant from Harper's hand and took
out another jade pendant. "Madam, you must be a well-educated person who knows a lot about jade. I'm actually talking about
this piece of jade. It is a real piece of pink warm jade, and is priceless. Have a look at it. It is flawless; wouldn't you say so?

Touch it, and you will feel warm. It is the best jade to help you keep healthy. The jade should be a perfect match for you, madam,
as you are beautiful, noble and kindhearted." Seeing this man's reaction, Harper was a bit surprised. As soon as the fake jade
was recognized, this man immediately took out a genuine jade and tried to sell it instead. Because of that, Harper became

curious and wanted to see how much this man could do. So, she took out a piece of warm jade which she always carried around
and said, "I don't need a warm jade. I already have a piece of superior suet white warm jade, which is even better than your pink
warm jade." Blinking his eyes, the vendor instantly put his jade away. "Well, madam, would you like to sell your jade? If you think
that you've been wearing this jade pendant for too long and don't like this style. If you want a different style, I have a wide variety
of styles available. You can also customize the style to your liking. Of course, I can also buy the jade you have. What do you
think?"
"No, I don't need money," Harper nonchalantly said. "Madam, do you like collecting treasures? The treasures in my shop are all
rare treasures. I'm sure you're going to like them." Then, the vendor turned to Matthew and added, "Sir, your wife is so beautiful.
Why don't you pick a good treasure and give it to her as a gift? It will definitely make her happy." It seemed that he still hadn't
given up on persuading Matthew into buying his goods.
"Did you just say you have all kinds of treasures in your shop?" Matthew asked, looking very interested.
"Yes, we have everything you may need. Just name it, and we'll give you whatever you want!" the vendor proudly said as he
patted himself on the chest, seemingly very confident.
Harper helplessly shook her head. This vendor was quite the smooth-talker and spoke differently depending on who he was
talking to. Given that, she did not believe his words. So, she simply grabbed hold of Matthew's hand and was about to leave the
stall with him. However, Matthew stopped her in her tracks and said, "It wouldn't really hurt to go inside and have a look. Who
knows? Maybe a pleasant surprise is waiting for us."
Harper honestly appreciated the vendor's quick wit, but she just wasn't fond of his way of doing things. Despite that, she didn't

object to Matthew's suggestion and followed him into the vendor's shop. It was a rather small and messy shop. The shopkeeper
was inside leaning against the counter, nodding off. Hearing a couple of footsteps approaching, he immediately ran out from
behind the counter and greeted, "Distinguished guests are walking inside my shop. Come in, please. Is there anything in
particular you would like to see?" "Boss, they are our distinguished guests. They're not interested in common goods," the vendor
said..

Hearing that, the shopkeeper immediately ordered his assistant to get the most precious treasure they had in the shop. Then, he
personally poured a bowl of tea for them and said, "The miasma here in the South Kingdom is very thick. This tea, although not
very good, can help get rid of the miasma. I hope you do not dislike it."
After taking a sip, Harper commented, "This is the medicinal tea made from the herbs like rhizoma atractylodis and tuckahoe.
But, it seems that someone has added another herb inside..."
"Madam, you eve know about medicine?" the shopkeeper asked in surprise. "A special herb exclusive in the South Kingdom has
been added, which is called snakeroot. It is used to get rid of the poison in the miasma. I can tell at a glance that you two just
arrived at the Birch Pass. If you don't drink this specially made tea, you probably won't be able to resist the poison of the
miasma."
"That's so thoughtful of you! Thank you," Harper said as she put down her tea bowl. "I wonder how many special medicinal
materials from the South Kingdom you have in store here."
"Madam, are you looking for medicinal herbs?"
"Yes, I am. But I wonder if the medicinal herbs you have could get my attention," Harper slowly said, looking the shopkeeper
straight in the eye. "I am looking for medicinal herbs from the South Kingdom with unique efficacy, ones that people cannot
simply buy from the outside."
Pausing for a while, the shopkeeper asked, "What are you going to need them for, madam?"
"I'm a physician," Harper flatly replied. "Of course I buy medicinal herbs for the purpose of treating patients and saving people's
lives. A great number of rare medicines from the South Kingdom have extraordinary effects, but it is very difficult to acquire them
from the market. You just told me that you will give me whatever I want as long as I name it, right? If you can show them to me
right now, I'll buy all of them."